Page 44 of Abundant Moon
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Robyn knew the moment she opened her eyes. She’d been incredibly tired last night, turning in early and feeling odd with on and off cramps, back pain, nesting instinct in high gear, and less activity in the womb. Delivery day had arrived, albeit three days past the six-month mark. Unusual, given that shifter gestation varied little in its duration. The surest sign? Her lack of appetite – a shocking development after months of constant eating and growth to blimp-like proportions. Yet the food odors coming from the kitchen generated no interest whatsoever.
She rolled over in bed, receiving a few kicks to her kidneys as a result, and got up to pee. That part, at least, remained the same! While she was up, she brushed her teeth, dressed in something comfortable and waddled out to the dining room. Her mates abandoned their breakfast to fuss over her, offer light hugs, and look for changes in her scent. Jack smiled broadly, drawing William close.
“The time has come, dear one. What can we do for you?”
Robyn blushed and shook her head.
“Nothing right now. I don’t want to get too far from either of you, but probably won’t deliver until tonight. Could you call Ben and Evan to let them know?”
William pulled the phone from his pocket and paused to ask a question.
“Shall I contact Jonah as well?”
Robyn shook her head.
“No. Not yet. He’s already at work by this time, and if we tell him he won’t be able to get much done. Wait until I start pacing or he comes home – whichever comes first.”
After William made the call, Robyn sat down to keep her mates company while they finished their meal. William reported Ben and Evan were excited and happy for her, and promised not to come over until she wanted to see them. Robyn nodded, relieved they were abiding by her wishes. With the kerfuffle at Christmas in mind, she’d insisted on a quiet, private birth with only her mates and Jonah attending. No audience or drama if you please!
When the meal ended, William hurriedly cleaned up while Jack escorted Robyn to the living room. She settled in the center of the loveseat, propped up with soft pillows and covered with a light yellow blanket. Jack sat next to her and reached for her hand. Uncomfortable with the silence, she initiated a conversation.
“I wanted to deliver on your birthday, but they wouldn’t wait another two weeks.”
Jack smiled warmly and squeezed her hand.
“It does not matter. They will be the best gift anyone could possibly give me.”
William joined them, squeezing in on Robyn’s other side before commenting on their discussion.
“Hmph! I can see I’ll have to compete now for your affections, old man. If that’s the case,youcan changeallthe diapers!”
####
MOVIE NIGHT – FRIDAY AT 7 P.M.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
FREE POPCORN! BRING THE KIDS!
NOTICES WENT UP INthe packhouse early in the week so people could plan, and Gladstone buzzed with excitement. A novel idea to be sure, yet Robert’s impassioned spiel convinced Ben to let him try it.
“Movies are great entertainment and give the pack something new and different to do! Many are even educational. Just because we can’t go to a theater to see them doesn’t mean we have to give up entirely. Look - if the idea flops I won’t bug you about it again, and Ash and I will do all the work. Please, Ben?”
Once Evan latched onto the idea, Ben gave the project a green light. He worried about a lack of attendees, thereby disappointing Robert. The response had been eye-opening. So far, he didn’t know of anyone whowasn’tcoming to tonight’s showing - other than Robyn, William, Jack, and Jonah – sparing Robert’s feelings after all. No one wanted to face rejection by their new family, and if this event helped him blend in, so much the better.
The whole movie thing wouldn’t have been such an odd idea if he and his people frequented the theater. Shifters avoided them entirely since they tended to growl, shout, and talk during the film. Human patrons didn’t appreciate the rude behavior, and who wanted the humiliation of being escorted out for disrupting the show?
Robert ended up renting a large projection system and screen, making it easier to see no matter where people chose to sit. He and Ash were going to have to move a lot of tables and furniture around, but it would be worth the trouble for such a special event. Given his passion for movies, Robert had other plans to make the night unforgettable. Ash wasn’t terribly enthused, but he loved seeing his mate happy and gladly cooperated with whatever Robert needed him to do. Well, almost.
####
THROUGH MID-AFTERNOON, Robyn couldn’t decide what she wanted to do. She and her mates enjoyed some conversation, but that quickly fell by the wayside and she asked to go for a walk. When they returned, she got busy rearranging the nest, checking supplies, and roaming aimlessly about the house. Evan told the men to expect this kind of behavior, and encouraged them to let Robyn do whatever she wanted as her body prepared for delivery.
“Be supportive and stay close. She will need toknowyou are there and won’t leave her – even if it makes no sense to you at all. When she starts the pacing, encourage her to go ahead and shift. Her wolf will know what to do, even if she can’t communicate with you verbally.”
When Robyn finally stopped to rest, she asked Jack an interesting question.
